RMP Process

Land use plans, or RMPs, ensure that the public lands are managed in accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLMPA) (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), under the principles of multiple use and sustained yield. As required by FLPMA and BLM policy, the public lands must be managed in a manner that protects the quality of scientific, scenic, historical, ecological, environmental, air and atmospheric, water resources, and archaeological values; and, where appropriate, preserves and protects certain public lands in their natural condition; provides food and habitat for fish, wildlife, and domestic animals; provides for outdoor recreation and human occupancy and use; and recognizes the nation’s need for domestic sources of minerals, food, timber, and fiber from the public lands by encouraging collaboration and public participation throughout the planning process.

The BLM uses a planning process to ensure that RMPs and implementation decisions remain consistent with applicable laws, regulations, orders, and policies. EIS-level planning processes, such as the RMP revision, have a number of required planning steps. See the EIS-level planning process diagram for a description of the various steps.

Concurrent with the development of the RMPs, an environmental impact statement (EIS) is being prepared. Required by Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), an EIS highlights the significant effects of proposals and describes alternative actions to the proposal. The EIS will identify and analyze the potential impacts of the alternatives on the environment and identify appropriate measures to mitigate those impacts.

For more information on the BLM planning process, see the BLM Land Use Planning Handbook (H-1601-1) under "Documents" above.